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Parents raising money for student arts
First project: $120,000 for stage rigging
By Rebekah DanaherDaily News staff writer
A group of parents wanting to promote and perpetuate drama and music at Beloit Memorial High School have united as Parents Advocating for the Performing Arts in Our Schools (P.A.P.A.S.).
The group's long-range goal is to establish a revolving endowment fund to help the high school continue to offer opportunities in choir, orchestra, band and theater arts.
The group's first project will be to replace the stage rigging system in the 54-year-old auditorium. The equipment was condemned in the spring and the cost to replace it is about $125,000. The School District of Beloit provided $5,000 to finance the removal of the aged system, leaving $120,000 to be raised by the theater department.
Theater Director Greg Wallendal said a versatile fly system is needed to accommodate a number of school productions and community pageants, as well as dance and musical performances.
With the school district funding and matched funds collected through fund raising, the school was able to install a make-shift lighting system and some dead-hung curtains.
“That really limits us as to what we can do and what kind of set-up we can have,” he said.
The temporary rigging will suffice until the school has raised the funds for a completely new system.
Wallendal said P.A.P.A.S has planned an ambitious three-year fund-raising campaign, hoping to raise the majority of the money during the current year.
The group has begun organizing its first fund-raiser, through which donors can sponsor commemorative bricks to be placed outside the BMHS Theater. There is space for 350 bricks and there are three different sizes, priced between $150 and more than $750, depending upon the size and lettering.
A brick patio already exists outside the auditorium and Wallendal said the bricks will be replaced with the new pieces.
Benefactors also can choose to sponsor a seat in the auditorium, having a name or message engraved on a brass plate attached to any of the 1,159 seats. Wallendal said the group is working on its non-profit status and the donations will be tax deductible.
Wallendal estimates the group will raise about $70,000 if all the bricks and seat plaques are sponsored. The remainder will be raised through several subsequent fund-raisers.
The Walking the Dog Theater company out of New York will be in town Feb. 9-12 for a production of William Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night.” Whereas proceeds from all BMHS productions go to the school district, Wallendal said this production by an outside company will raise money for the rigging system. The theater department also will host professional comedians on March 4, another fund-raising attempt.
Wallendal is grateful for the enthusiastic fund-raising efforts by the parents and community members.
“We've got a great group of people in P.A.P.A.S. - some of the most motivated people in Beloit working on this,” he said.
The 30 or so supporters in P.A.P.A.S. recognize the importance of the arts to the high school, Wallendal said.
“It gives a creative outlet for kids that they don't normally have,” he said. “It's a unique bonding experience that they don't necessarily have anywhere else. There's something about the performing arts that really brings a closeness together.”
By Rebekah DanaherDaily News staff writer
A group of parents wanting to promote and perpetuate drama and music at Beloit Memorial High School have united as Parents Advocating for the Performing Arts in Our Schools (P.A.P.A.S.).
The group's long-range goal is to establish a revolving endowment fund to help the high school continue to offer opportunities in choir, orchestra, band and theater arts.
The group's first project will be to replace the stage rigging system in the 54-year-old auditorium. The equipment was condemned in the spring and the cost to replace it is about $125,000. The School District of Beloit provided $5,000 to finance the removal of the aged system, leaving $120,000 to be raised by the theater department.
Theater Director Greg Wallendal said a versatile fly system is needed to accommodate a number of school productions and community pageants, as well as dance and musical performances.
With the school district funding and matched funds collected through fund raising, the school was able to install a make-shift lighting system and some dead-hung curtains.
“That really limits us as to what we can do and what kind of set-up we can have,” he said.
The temporary rigging will suffice until the school has raised the funds for a completely new system.
Wallendal said P.A.P.A.S has planned an ambitious three-year fund-raising campaign, hoping to raise the majority of the money during the current year.
The group has begun organizing its first fund-raiser, through which donors can sponsor commemorative bricks to be placed outside the BMHS Theater. There is space for 350 bricks and there are three different sizes, priced between $150 and more than $750, depending upon the size and lettering.
A brick patio already exists outside the auditorium and Wallendal said the bricks will be replaced with the new pieces.
Benefactors also can choose to sponsor a seat in the auditorium, having a name or message engraved on a brass plate attached to any of the 1,159 seats. Wallendal said the group is working on its non-profit status and the donations will be tax deductible.
Wallendal estimates the group will raise about $70,000 if all the bricks and seat plaques are sponsored. The remainder will be raised through several subsequent fund-raisers.
The Walking the Dog Theater company out of New York will be in town Feb. 9-12 for a production of William Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night.” Whereas proceeds from all BMHS productions go to the school district, Wallendal said this production by an outside company will raise money for the rigging system. The theater department also will host professional comedians on March 4, another fund-raising attempt.
Wallendal is grateful for the enthusiastic fund-raising efforts by the parents and community members.
“We've got a great group of people in P.A.P.A.S. - some of the most motivated people in Beloit working on this,” he said.
The 30 or so supporters in P.A.P.A.S. recognize the importance of the arts to the high school, Wallendal said.
“It gives a creative outlet for kids that they don't normally have,” he said. “It's a unique bonding experience that they don't necessarily have anywhere else. There's something about the performing arts that really brings a closeness together.”
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